'fl 975 B88 opy 1 GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES, CHIEF TOWNS, CITIES, ISLANDS, CAPES, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, LAKES, BAYS ; ALSO, OF THE SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUCT, MINES, AND CURIOSI- TIES OF IRELAND. TO WHICH IS ADDED A SHORT HISTORY OF IRELAND. BY THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. CINCINNATI: JOHN P. WALSH, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, 170 SYCAMORE STREET. 1859. f ^fciW>^ i^ * , ■ *s\% \ :v\ « ^AS a A GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES, CHIEF TOWNS, CITIES, ISLANDS, CAPES, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, LAKES, BAYS ; ALSO, OF THE SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUCT, MINES, AND CURIOSI- TIES OF IRELAND. TO WHICH IS ADDED A SHORT HISTORY OF IRELAND BY THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. CINCINNATI: JOHN P. WALSH, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, jlii SYCAMORE STREET. 1859. Entered according to Act of Congress, on the 2."»th day of January, 1859, by JOHN P. WALSH, In the Cleric's Offidfe of the District Court of the Tutted States for the Southern District of Ohio. BOUNDARIES. N. W. and S., the Atlantic Ocean; E., St. George's Channel and the Irish Sea. It is situated between 51° 19 v and 55° 23 v N. lat. ; and between 5° 19 v and 10° 28 v W. long. Its greatest length is 30G miles ; breadth, 182. Super- ficial content, 31,874 sq. miles, or 20,379,608 acres. Population, 8,20-5,382. Ireland is divided into 4 provinces, which are sub- divided into 32 counties, 252 baronies, and 2,348 parishes. COUNTIES. Ulster. — Donegal ; Derry ; Antrim ; Tyrone ; Down ; Armagh : Monaghan ; Fermanagh ; Cavan. Leinster. — Longford; West Meath; East Meath ; Louth; Dublin; Kiidare ; King's County ; Queen's County; Wicklow; Wexford; Carlow; Kilkenny. Minister. — Tipperary; Waterford; Cork; Kerry; Limerick ; Clare. ConnaugJit. — Gralway ; Roscommon ; Mayo ; Sligo ; Leitrim. 4 GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. Ulster, Nine Counties. Counties & c£y towns. Remarkable for. Population Donegal Mountains, bogs, minerals 289,149 Donegal Annals of 4 Masters,lC31 830 Ballyshannon* Salmon and eel fishery 3,735 Derry Barley, flax & linen trade 222,012 Berry A long siege, 1689 19,020 Coleraine Fine linens, called Cole- 5,752 raines Antrim Coal, bog and limestone 225,615 Belfast Trade and commerce 53,287 Carrickfergusf A celebrated castle 8,698 Lisburn Linen, muslin & cambric 5,218 Ballymena Brown linen, bleach fields 4,063 Tyrone M'tains, bogs, & fertility 304,468 Omagh Military head-quarters 2,211 Dungannon Seat of the kings of Ulster 3,515 Annylaughan B'th-place of Abp. Hughes, of New York, and the patriotic O'Neills Down Agriculture, manufacture 352,012 BownpatricJc Shrines of Sts. Patrick, &c 4,784 Newry Export of provisions and 13,065 live stock. * Bally shannon is so called from the Irish word jBaile, a town, a name incorporated with numerous parishes, towns, villages, and country residences throughout Ireland. *{" Carrickfergns derives its name from Carraig, a rock, on which the old castle is built, and from a king named Fergus, who is said to have been drowned near it. The kindred" names, Carrick-on-Suir, Carrick-on- Shannon, &c, are easily understood. GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 5 Counties & ct' y toxons. Remarkable for. Population. Newtonards Manufac. diaper & muslin 4,442 Donaghadee Scottish packet station 2,986 Bangor* Abbey founded by St. Comgall 2,741 Armagh Apples, (the Orchard of Ireland 220,134 Armagh^ Metropolitan see 9,189 Lurgan Manuf. damasks & cambric 2,842 Monagiian Agricult., mountains, bogs 195,536 Monaghan Ruins of an old abbey 3,848 ClonesJ 1st mitred Ab't in Ireland 2,381 Fermanagh Mountains, bogs & lakes 149,763 * Bangor, anciently Beanchor, signifies Blessed Choir, a name expressive of a part of the avocations of the religious who inhabited this place, and who are said to have amounted, at one time, to 3,000. The school of Bangor was one of the most eminent of its time ; it was resorted to by numbers of young persons of distinction, from various parts of Europe, and, according to some historians, when King Alfred founded the university of Oxford, he sent to the great school of Bangor for professors. It was at Bangor the great St. Columbanus was educated ; and here, also, that Cormac, king of Leinster, spent the latter part of his life. f Armagh is derived from Ard, high, and Magh, a plain or field, the city being built upon an eminence. Armagh was long celebrated for«its monastery and school, founded by St. Patrick in 445. It is said, that 7,000 students were at one time congregated in this seminary. J Clones, anciently Cluain-Inis, " the island of retreat," it having been nearly surrounded by water. The term clon is also applied to churches, which, in many instances, have been erected in retired places ) as Cloyne, Clonfert, &c. b GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. Counties & c*ty toivns. Remarkable for. Population. Enniskillen* Fish and water fowl 6,116 Cavan Minerals & bleach greens 227,933 Cavan Burial-place of Gen. O'Neill, 1649. 2,931 Cootehill Excellent linen market 2,178 Leinster, Ttvelve Counties. Longford Most central co.in Irelaud 112,558 Longford Flax & linen man'facfcures 4,354 Granarcl Good corn market 2,058 Ballymahon Great cattle fairs 1,081 Erlgeworthston Birth-pl. Abbe Edgeworth 1,001 W. Meats Rich pasture land 136,872 MulUngar An excellent wool market 4,295 Athlone Called centre of Ireland 11,406 Kilbeggan Extensive corn trade 1,895 Meathj Corn, sheep and cattle 176,826 Trim Ruins of several Abbeys 3,282 Navan Once famed for its Abbey 4,416 KellsJ Round tower, 90ft. high 4,326 * Eiinislcillen is so called from the Irish word litis, (Lat. insula,) an island, the town of Enniskillen being built upon an island, in the Erne ; hence the signification of such names as have the prefix Inis or Ennis incorpo- rated with them. f Meath. — In this county, about 5 miles S. E. from Navan, is the ancient Tarah, or, as it is sometimes called, Teagh mor, " the great house," where the Irish triennial parlia- ments were held, until the end of the sixth century. \Kells. — The memorable synod of the Irish Clergy, at which Cardinal Paparo distributed the four palls to the Arch- bishops, was held here in 1152. GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. Counties & dty towns. Rcmarhahle for. Population. Louth Smallest co. in Ireland 124,846 Droc/hcda Extensive corn trade 17,305 Dundalk Export corn, butter, eggs 10,078 Carlingford Excellent oysters 1,319 Dublin Neat villas & fine demesnes 380,167 Lublin Splendor of its pub. build. Birth-place of the Most ' Rev. brothers Kenrick, of Baltimore and St. Louis 265,316 Kingstown Superior granite 8,000 Balbriggan Muslin & stocking manuf. 3,016 Clontarf Victory of Boroimhe,1014 3,314 Swords Round tower, 73ft. high Kildare Most level co. in Ireland Athy A good corn market JS T aas Seat of kings of Leinster Maynooth College, founded 1795 of the 2,537 108,424 4,494 3,808 2,053 Castle-Dermot Ancient seat O'Dermots 1,385 Kildare* Religious ruins, r'nd tower 1,753 Klngs Co.f Woods, bog & limestone 144,225 * Kildare. — Near this town is the far-famed Curragh, a race-course of about 5,000 acres, sometimes called the New- market of Ireland, In this neighborhood are bred the best horses in the country. f King's County. — On the banks of the Shannon, in this county, is situated Clonmacnois, anciently Cluain-Mac Nois, or the " Retreat of the Sons of the Noble," a name it ob- tained from the celebrity of its monastery and schools, which attracted numbers of the nobility to study in its halls. Many of the Irish kings and princes are here interred. Besides 8 GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. Counties & c'ty towns. Remarkable for. Population. T nil a more An excellent corn market 6,342 Birr The O'Carroll feuds 6,594 Banagher Horse and cattle fairs 2,636 Philips town Old seat of O'Connors 1,454 Queen's Co. Coal, bog & limestone 145,851 Maryborough Hd.-qrs. of constabulary 3,220 Mountmellick Cotton & woollen manuf. 4,597 Abbeyleix Lace manufactory 5,485 Portarlington An excellent spa 3,091 Montrath Cotton, stuff & oil manufac . 2,593 WlCKLOW Exquisite scenery 121,557 Wickloiv Export of lead and corn 2,472 Arklow A bridge of 19 arches 4,383 Bray Trout fishery 3,656 Baltinglass Woollen & linen manuf. 1,619 Wexford Corn and pasture 182,713 Wexford Woollen cloth & pro vis. 10,673 Enniscorthy Agricultural produce 5,955 New Boss Trade with America, &c. 5,011 Car low Corn, butter, & minerals 81,988 Carlo iv College & public b'ld'ngs 9,114 Leighlinb'iclge *Tiuins of Black and White Castles 2,035 the great monastery, cathedral, and schools, it is said that 10 churches, built by neighboring princes, with two round tow- ers, &c, stood withing the surrounding walls. This place is called the Zona of Ireland. * Near this village is Old Leiglilin, distinguished in ec- clesiastical history for its religious establishments and exten- sive schools. The fame which this place had acquired for piety and learning attracted such multitudes of students and GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 9 Counties & ct 'y Tullow Kilkenny Kilkenny Callan Thomastown Castlecomer Urlingford Graigue Ballyragget TlPPERARY Clonmel Carrick Nenagh Thurles Cashel Tipperary Roscrea Cahir* Waterford Water ford Dungarvan towns. Remarkable for. Population. Best corn market in the co. 1,929 198,686 23,741 0,111 3,054 2,43 (3 2,400 2,130 1,629 Agriculture and dairies Coal, marble, woollens . Great antiquity Extensive flour mills Superior coal mines Large cattle fairs Ancient castle and abbey Birth-pl. of Abp. Butler Minister, Six Counties. Coal, corn, and cattle 402,503 Corn, bacon, and butter 15,134 Largest town unrepres'ted 9,(3 2(3 Old castle, Nenagh Round 8,440 Holycross Abbey 7,084 Seat of kings of Munster 6,971 Corn and butter market 6,970 The Shire of St, Cronan 5,512 Ancient castle and abbey 3,408 Birth-place of Archbishop Walsh, of Halifax 177,054 Great export of provisions 28,821 Extensive fishery 6,519 religious persons to its halls, that the country, for miles around, was usually denominated the territory of saints and scholars. The number of religious alone is stated to have been 1500. * Cahir, or Cathair, is the Irish term for city; hence the derivation of the numerous names having Cahir incor- porated with them. 10 GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. Counties & cCy towns. Remarkable for. Population Lismore* Anc't monastery and school 2,894 Tramoret A neat sea-bathing village 2,224 Cappoquin A Cistercian abbey 1,319 Cork Largest co. in Ireland. Birth place of Bishop England 810,732 Cork. Great export of provisions 107,016 Bandon Cotton and flour mills 12,617 Youghal Irish potato first planted here 9,608 KinsaleJ A productive fishery 7,312 Fermoy Extensive barracks 6,9/6 Cove (lately Birth-place of Bishop O'Con- named nor, of Pittsburgh Queenstown) 6,966 * Lismore is derived from the Irish Lios, a habitation, and Mor, great, that is, u the gieat habitation or monas- tery," which St. Cartbagh founded here in 633. The schools of Lismore were celebrated all over Europe ; thither multitudes of foreigners thronged to study religion, science, and literature, not only from England, but from the most distant parts of the continent, all of whom were most cheer- fully received, and "supplied gratis/' as Ven. Bede testi- fies, " with food, books, and instruction." King Alfred is said to have received his education here. — Lismore, at one time, contained twenty parish churches. "j" Tramore is a contraction of the Irish words, Traigli- mor, signifying " the great strand;" hence Tralee, " the strand of the Lee," &c. J Kinsale is supposed to have derived its name from Cean, a head, and Saile, the sea; either in reference to the promontory called Old Head, which stands out in the sea, or the head of the harbor itself, where the town is situated; hence Kinvara, which literally signifies M head of the sea;" vara, or mara } being the genitive case of muir } another name for sea. GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 11 Counties & c'ty Mallow Ban try Doneraile Cloyne Kerry Tralee Killarney Dingle Cahirciveen* Ardfert Limerick Limerick Rathkeale A da re Askeaton Kilmallock Clarej Ennis Kilrush Eunistymon KillaloeJ towns. Remarkable for. Population. Mineral waters. Birth-place of the Most Rev. and Very Rev. brothers Pur- cell, of Cincinnati. 5,229 A fine bay and scenery 4,216 Beautiful scenery 2,652 Round tower, 102ft. high 2,228 Small cattle, {Kerry coivs) 263,126 Mineral springs 9,352 Lakes and scenery 7,910 Most west'ly town in Irel'd 4,327 Birth-pl. of D. 0'Connell,Esq 1,192 Once, seat of a university 929 Pasture, corn, and fruit 315,355 Siege and treaty, 1690-1 66,354 Horse and cattle fairs 4,972 Excellent cider 4,364 Magnificent ruins 1,515 The Irish Baalbec 1,213 Excelleut horses 258,322 A fine Gothic abbey 7,«11 Provisions and flag-stones 3,996 Ancient seat of O'Briens 1,430 Salmon and eel fishery 1,411 * Situated on Valentia Bay, Atlantic Telegraph Station. •(* Clare was anciently called Thomond, that is, North Munster, in reference to Desmond, or South Munster, Or- mond, or East Munster, &c. J KUlaloe. — Near this town stood the ancient Kinkord, the palace of Brian Boroimhe, monarch of Ireland, and of his immediate successors. 12 GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. Connauglit, Five Counties. Co unties & dty towns. Remarkable for. Population. Galway Greatest number of lakes 414,684 Gdlway Extensive fisheries and American packet station 33,120 Tuam Cathedral and College 6,883 Loughrea Abundance of poultry 6,285 Ballinasloe Large cattle fairs 4,615 Roscommon Corn, bog and pasture 249,630 Roscommon* Shrine of St. Coman 3,306 Athlonej Repeated sieges,( 1690-1) 11J406 Boyle Trout of excellent quality 3,433 Elphin B'th-pl. Oliver Goldsmith 1,507 Mayo Bogs, lakes and pasturage 365,328 Castlebar A good linen market 6,373 Balliua Valuable salmon fishery 5,510 Westporfc Cotton manuf. and bleaches 4,448 Newport Salmon, grouse & red-deer 1,235 Killala Occupied by the French,™ 1,125 * Roscommon, which signifies " Coman's Marsh/' is sup- posed to have derived its name from an abbey, founded here in a low situation by St. Coman, about the year 540. Ros also signifies " pleasant or agreeable/' and is to be under- stood in this sense in many of the Irish names of which it is the prefix. f Athlone is partly in Roscommon and partly in West Meath ; hence the reason of its being mentioned in both counties. Athlone derives its name from the Irish Ath, a ford, and Luath, or Luan, swift, probably in reference to the rapids, at the bridge over the Shannon. About six miles from Athlone, in West Meath, is the in- teresting village of Auburn, the subject of Goldsmith's beau- tiful poem, " The Deserted Village." GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 13 Counties & cfy towns. Remarkable for. Population. Sligo Bullocks of the largest size 171,705 Sligo Corn, butter & salmon 15,152 Ballymote Encircled with beautiful hills 875 Leitrim* Numerous herds of cattle 141,521 Car rick-on- Good situation for trade Shannon 1,870 Manor-Ham- Ruins of an ancient cas- ilton tie 1,318 Leitrim Formerly a place of im- portance 274 Islands. — Bathlin, North of Antrim; North Isles of Arran, West of Donegal; Achil,\Nest of Mayo ; Clare Island, at the mouth of Clew Bay ; South Isles of Arran, in Gal way Bay; Valentia, West of Kerry. Capes. — Mai in-Read, in Donegal; Fair- Head, in Antrim; Howth-IIead, in Dublin; Wiclclow- Head, in Wicklow ; Carnsore-Toifnt, in Wexford ; Cape-Clear and Mizzen-Head, in Cork; Ioojj- Ilead, in Clare; Slyne-IIead, in Galway; Achil- liead, and Urris-Eead, in Mayo. Mouni'ains. — The Mourne-Bange, in Down ; the * The counties of Leitrim and Cavan, 'with part of Fer- managh, comprised the ancient Brie/ne, the chief lords of which were the O'Piuarks, a name memorable in Irish history. 14 GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. SI 1 eve-Bloom, or Ard-na-ti Erin* mountains, in which the Suir, Nore, and Barrow, take their rise ; the Wicklow Mountains, in Wicklow; Nephm and Croagh-Patrick, in Mayo; Magillicuddg 's Becks, Carran-Tual, and Mangerton, in Kerry. Bays. — Carrickfergus Bag, or Belfast- Lough between Antrim and Down ; Strangford Bag, in Down ; Carlingford Bag, between Down and Louth ; Dundalk Bag in Louth ; Dublin Bag ; Bantrg and Duninanus Bags, South- West of Cork; Dingle and Tralee Bags, in Kerry; Gal- wag, between Clare and Galway ; Clew Bag, Black- sod Bag, and Killala Bag, in Mayo ; Donegal Bag, Lough Swillg, and Lough Fogle, in Ulster. Lakes. — Lough Keagh,^ between Antrim and Tyrone ; Lough Erne, in Fermanagh ; Loughs Allen, Bee, and Derg, through which the Shannon flows ; Lough Conn, in Mayo ; Lough Mask, be- tween Mayo and Galway ; Lmigh Corrib, in Gal- way ; and the Lakes of KiUarneg, in Kerry. Rivers.— The Fogle, between Donegal and Deny, falls into Lough Foyle ; the Bann flows through Lough Neagh, and separates Deny from Antrim ; the Lagan flows into Belfast Lough ; the Bogne, into Drogheda Bay ; the Liffeg, into Dub- * Ard-na-h'En'n, that is, " the height of Ireland, " a name this mountain obtained from a popular opinion that it was the most elevated point in the island. f Lough, or Loch, is the term used in Ireland and Scot- land for lake — Loch, in Irish, signifying a lake, or an arm of the sea. GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 15 lin Bay; the Slaney, into Wexford Harbor; the Sttir, with its tributaries, the Barrow and Nore falls into Waterfard Harbor; the Blackwater fills into Youghal Harbor ; the Lee, into Cork Harbor ; the Shannon, the largest river in the United Kingdom, separates Clare from Limerick, and falls into the Atlantic Ocean, Chief Towns. — Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is divided by the LiiFey into nearly two equal parts ; is the second city in the United Kingdom, and, in point of external beauty, is surpassed by few others. Previous to the Union, Dublin contained a popula- tion of 300,000, and was the constant residence of two hundred and seventy-one spiritual and tem- poral peers, and three hundred members of the House of Commons. At present the population is only 204,000 ; and only G peers, and from 15 to 20 members of Parliament, have settled dwellings within its precincts. The corporal municipal reform came into operation in 1841, and Daniel O'Con- nell, Esq., M.P., was elected Lord Mayor of Dub- blin, 1st November of that year. Cork, the second city in Ireland, derives its name from the Irish word Corcach, a marsh ; it stands on the Lee, which pours its waters through several channels into the harbor, which is one of the finest in Europe. The exports and imports are considerable. The scenery on the river, and around the city is extremely beautiful. Limerick, on the Shannon, ranks next to Cork. It consists of the old and new town, connected by 16 GEOGRAPHY OP IRELAND. an elegant modern bridge. Its exports amount to 75,000 tons annually. It is famous for the sieges it sustained against King William in 1690-1. Belfast, the principal town of Ulster, situated on the West side of the Lagan, has, within the last fifty years, risen to great importance. In com- merce, its exports and imports are very extensive ; its literary and scientific institutions are most re- spectable. Waterfordy situated on the South bank of the Suir, is remarkable for its fine harbor ; the depth of water in the river, up to its splendid quay, is so great that steamers can sail at low water. It has long been celebrated for its manufacture of white glass ; and its exports in cattle and provisions are considerable. One of the longest wooden bridges in Ireland connects it with county of Kilkenny. The other towns of note are : Galway, Kilkenny, Wexford, Sligo, Londonderry, and Clonmel. Climate and Soil. — The climate of Ireland is, perhaps, milder than that of any other country of equal extent in the same latitude. It cannot be called a mountainous country, though many of its eminences are of considerable elevation. The soil is exceedingly fertile; the atmosphere is more humid than that of England, owing, probably, to the prevailing Westerly winds from the Atlantic. By preserving a perpetual verdure, it has obtained the appellation of the Green, or Emerald Isle. Produce. — The chief productions are corn, flax, and potatoes in great abundance ; the latter being the principal food of the lower classes. The quan- GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 17 tity of cultivated land exceeds, in proportion, that of England. The potato-garden, or ci.-rn-field, often ascends to the very summits of considerable heights. The bogs are numerous and extensive. occupying in many instances the sites of ancient forests, the remains of which are still dug out in large quantities. The turf, or peat, procured from them, is the fuel most in use throughout the country. One of the principal exports is fine linen, which is brought to great perfection. The quantity sent to England, in 1825, was 52,559,678 yards. The other chief exports are lawns, cambric >, yarn, and wool ; vast numbers of black cattle, pigs, green hides, ox and cow-horns, leather, beef, pork, but- ter, tallow, etc. The total value of exports, in 1824, was £6,400,000. Zoology. — The animals peculiar to the island are, the large red-deer of the Killarney mountains, and the Irish grey-hound, or wolf-dog, which is now nearly extinct ; it is alluded to in almost every old poetic legend, or heroic ballad of the country. The coasts, lakes, and rivers, abound with fish. The exemption of the country from serpents and all venomous reptiles is well known. Mines. — The minerals are : iron, lead, silver, copper, and coal of a peculiar kind, useful in manu- factories. Large masses of native gold have been found in Wicklow. There are quarries of fine marble, porphyry, slate, freestone, etc., in various places. 18 GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. Curiosities.— Many curious round towers of great antiquity are found in several parts of the island. The origin and use of these towers have hitherto baffled the researches of antiquaries. The numerous venerable ruins of churches and monas- teries, and of castles built from the thirteenth to the 16th century, give a romantic and picturesque app eara nee to the co u ntry. The most remarkable na- tural curiosities are, the collection of basaltic col- umns, eight miles from Coleraine,on the coast of An- trim, called the " Giant's Causeway ;" the extensive caverns, near Mitch elstown, county Cork, and in other places; the exquisite scenery of the county Wicklow; the Killaraey lakes and mountains; and the majestic cliffs and numerous caverns, that line the Western coast, interspersed with sandy bays, which afford safe and agreeable accommodation for bathers. History. — The name, Ireland, appears to be a Gothic adaptation of the native term, Erin. The island was known to the Greeks by the name of Juvema, about two centuries before the Chris- tian era ; and to the Romans, by that of Hibernia, in the time of Caesar. It was originally governed by a number of independent native princes, subject, however, to one supreme monarch, who held his court and council at Tarali, in East Meath. The country suffered much from various invasions of the Vikingr, or sea kings, of the Danes, and other Northern pirates, between the eighth and eleventh centuries. They were finally overthrown, and their power annihilated, at the famous Battle of Clontarf, near Dublin, in 1014. The most re- GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 19 markable amongst the native monarchs, previous to the arrival of the English, were, Ollamh Fodhla, celebrated for the wisdom of his laws and govern- ment, and Brian Bhoroime, whose character justly entitles him to rank with a Theodosius, an Alfred, or a Canutus. Iiis death, as glorious as his life was exemplary, occurred at the battle above-named. The first invasion of the English took place in 1169, and was followed in 1172 by the arrival of Henry II, who took the title of Lord of Ireland. The English monarchs did not assume the title of King of Ireland, until the reign of the tyrannical Henry VIII. After that period, Ireland continued annexed to the crown of England, but possessed a distinct parliament until 1800, when the legisla- tures of both countries were incorporated by the act of Union. From the reign of Henry VIII. down to the present time, the principal events have been, the unsuccessful efforts made to suppress the Catholic religion, by enactments directed against life and property ; the repeated oppressions on one side, and insurrections on the other ; the invasion and tyrannies of Cromwell and his followers ; the calamitous battle of Athenry ; the struggles made on behalf of James II., and the heroic stand made at Limerick, against the arms of his successor, William III. ; the declaration of Irish Legislative Independence, by the British Parliament, in 1782 ; the attempts to shake off the English yoke iu 1798; the act of Union, already referred to, in 1800 ; and the act of Emancipation, by which the Catholics of both countries were admitted to an 20 GEOGKAPHY OF IRELAND. equality of civil rights and privileges with their Protestant fellow-countrymen in 1829. Some re- serves, however, are still made in deference to prejudices, which it is hoped the progress of intel- ligence will finally remove. The executive power in Ireland is in the hands of a Lord Lieutenant. The revenue, in 1825, was £3,624,800. Religion. — Until the year of our Lord, 431, Ireland continued in the darkness of paganism, though somewhat less revolting in its practices than that which prevailed at the same period in other parts of Europe. The Irish Druids exercised the two-fold office of priest and poet ; and were, by their learning, vastly superior to their conti- nental brethren, who were prohibited to cultivate the use of letter-. In the year above-mentioned St. Celestine, Pope, the forty-fourth Bishop of Home, raised Palladius to the Episcopal dignity, and sent him with several companions, to preach the Gospel in this island. His success was partial : and he died as he was returning to Rome in the following year. He was succeeded in his mission by the celebrated St. Patrick, born a.d. 387, at Boulogne-sur-mer, in France. The labors and success of this great missionery in the conversion of the country, have justly obtained for him the title of Apostle of Ireland. With the sanction of the Holy See, and after having received Episcopal consecration, St. Patrick sailed for Ireland, and landed near Dublin. Not being immediately successful in this quarter, he took shipping again, and, proceeding Northwards? GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 21 landed near Strangford, in the county Down. His first convert was a chieftain, named Dicho, who, with his whole family, was baptized, and who be- stowed on the Saint a house and lot of ground on which to build a church. The holy Missionary thence directed his steps successively through Leinster, Connaught, and Munster; establishing congregations, founding churches, and ordaining pastors, wherever he arrived, until a general alte- ration took place in the religious and moral aspect of the whole island. The See of Armagh, of which he was the first Bishop, has ever since retained the honors of (he primacy. Having devoted thirty- three years to the great work of conversion, he passed to his eternal reward, at his favorite retreat at Saul, in Ulster, a.d. 4C5, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. During the following centuries, the multitude of holy personages who trod in the way which he had taught, both in the ecclesiastical and religious state, was so great, and the sanctity of theirlives so eminent, as to merit for their country the appellation of the " Island of Saints." Amongst those whose sanc- tity was confessed, after their decease, by the universal Church, some of the most eminent were : St. Bridget, Abbess and foundress of many reli- gious houses throughout the island ; St. Kevin, Abbot of Glendalough ; St. Oolumbanus, the author of an admired rule, and of many elegant religious pieces in Latin, prose and verse, and the founder of many monastic houses on the continent, — amongst which that of Luxeu, in France, and of 22 GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. Bobbio, in Italy ; St. Columba, Abbot of Icolmkill or Iona, famed for his miracles, and surnamed the " Apostle of the Picts," from the success of his missionary labors in Scotland ; St. Mai achy. Pri- mate, of whose life an admirable record has been left us from the eloquent pen of St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, where St. Malachy expired; St. Laurence O'Toole, etc. To enumerate the apos- tolic men whom, during those early ages of fervor, Ireland sent forth to labor for the salvation of souls, in various nations of Europe, would here be out of place. Suffice it to say, that their names and their works are still preserved in many of the countries which reaped the advantages of their holy zeal. Even at the present day, her mission- aries are spread over the face of the earth. But it was not alone for her sanctity, nor for the great number of her children who were enrol- led amongst the canonized Saints of the Church, that Ireland at this period was distinguished. It became at the same time the mart of sacred learn- ing and the school of Christendom. The univer- sities of Paris and Pavia owe their origin to the learning and industry of Clement and John, both natives of Ireland. The Irish, since their conver- sion, have been conspicuous for their devoted at- tachment to the faith ; from which, not all the horrors of sanguinary persecution, nor the blan- dishments of proselytism, have ever been able to separate the great body of the people ; over seven millions, out of the eight and a half, composing GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. 23 the population, are in communion with the Holy and Apostolic See of Rome. Literature. — The literature of Ireland has claims to a venerable antiquity, the use of letters having been known here long before the Christian era. From Ireland the Anglo-Saxons derived their first enlightenment ; and till the thirteenth century, literature in Scotland continued to be the special province of the Irish clergy. The English language is generally understood and spoken throughout the island. The Irish, or Gaelic, is still retained in many parts, particularly in Minister and Gonnaught. The love of the Irish people for learning is proverbial ; yet this was a desire which, until lately, they could not gratify except by stealth, or a sacrifice of principle. Trin- ity College, Dublin, and the University of Ireland, are the only universities in Ireland. The Catholic colleges are : the College of All Hallows ; the Royal College of Maynooth, founded by the Irish Parliament in 1795 ; those of Carlow, Waterfo-rd, Wexford, Kilkenny, Thurles, Tuam, Clogher, Clon- gowes Wood, and Castle-Knock. The seminaries and public schools are exceedingly numerous, and the course of education very extensive. The es- tablishments in which respectable females receive their education, are generally well conducted. Those under the management of religious commu- nities, possess the peculiar advantage of com- bining religious instruction with every other branch of female education. Ladies of the first rank are educated in those sanctuaries of innocence and 24 GEOGRAPHY OF IRELAND. virtue, " who," as a late venerable member of our hierarchy remarks, " in after life, become the in- struments of diffusing piety and happiness around them." There is scarcely a parish without a male and female gratuitous school, under the immediate con- trol of the parish priest, or in connection with the National Board. The Brothers of the Christian Schools have extensive establishments in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Carrick-on-Suir, Dun- garvan, Thurles, etc. The Nuns of the Presentation Order, and the Sisters of Charity and of Mercy, are extending branches of their Orders to the principal cities and towns of the country, and at- tending with maternal tenderness to the moral and physical destitution ot thousands of their sex, whose lowly condition particularly requires the aid of religious instruction, to fortify and console them under their many privations. Character. — In stature, the Irish are generally above the middle size, are athletic and well formed. They are of quick comprehension, warm-hearted, brave almost to rashness, and remarkable for cour- tesy and hospitality to strangers. In cheerfulness under privations, and in sprig htliness of disposi- tion, they approach nearer to the French than the English or Scotch. There is no country where domestic virtues are more fondly cherished. Ire- land can claim as her own a host of men who have distinguished themselves by their learning, their brilliancy of genius and their eloquence. 19 Fept.1860 . WALS iS^.SI°F....?ONGRESS . 021 376 837 2 JL± KJ COMPLETE MAP OF IRELAND. Just Published and for sale by all Canvassers and Dealers, shows eacn County in Colors, names each City, Town, Townland, Moun- tain, Harbor, Bay, Lake and River in Ireland ; also, the lines of Railroads, &c, &c. Of the accuracy and of the execution of the workmanship of this map it is enough to say that it is said to have been origi- nally drawn and engraved by Sidney Hall and William Hughes, under the superintendence of the eminent Irish engineer, Thomas Dargen, Esq. and is known as Ireland in Counties. No expense has been spared in the getting up of this copyright : Only Complete Map oi Ireland Ever Published. In connection with this map the subscriber has published a Geog ■ raphy of Ireland, written by the Christian Brothers, which gives the population and product of each Town, and County in Ireland, and the birth places of the eminent Ecclesiastics of Irish birth, in this country. SIZE OF THE MAP, 20 BY 24, Beautifully illustrated and embellished with National Emblems. TRADE PRICES: It will be sold at the following rates : Mounted on Rollers, for offices and schools, at - - - - $1 50 Do. do. with Geography of Ireland, by the Christian Brothers, attached by cord, 2 00 Stretched and gelatined, in colors, 1 50 Do. do. with Geography of Ireland, by the Christian Brothers, attached by cord, 2 00 POCKET EDITION: Bound neatly in Cloth, gilt sides, - 75 " " imitation morocco, 1 00 " " " turkey, 'tuck, 1 25 " " turkey morocco, tuck, full gilt, - - - - 1 75 Agents, Canvassers, Dealers, and the Trade generally, supplied on tne most reasonable terms, according to the quantity purchased. JOHN P. WALSH, No. 170 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.